I didn't realize how starved I was for a depiction of girlhood in anime that was not for the male gaze until I started watching Witch Hat Atelier.
I find myself subconsciously bracing for a voyeuristic camera angle or inappropriate interaction, and I feel a huge sense of relief when that doesn't happen. And then I get mad that I've been conditioned to expect that in anime about young girls.
In conclusion, I love Kamome Shirahama, and I love women in media.





















